WASHINGTON, DC – FWD.us President Todd Schulte released the following statement today on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas’ ruling that new DACA applications would be frozen, while allowing for existing renewals to continue:

“Today’s ruling is deeply disappointing, but does not obscure two basic facts: DACA is a tremendous success that has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives, and Congress absolutely must act right away to pass a pathway to citizenship. Tens of thousands of Dreamers across the country will be blocked from DACA protections and from the ability to work legally in this country.

While today’s ruling does not change the fact that existing DACA recipients—meaning those who currently have DACA—can renew, it is devastating that tens of thousands of new DACA applicants who have submitted their applications will be barred from getting protections from deportation and work authorization.

Today makes absolutely clear: only a permanent legislative solution passed by Congress will eliminate the fear and uncertainty that DACA recipients have been forced to live with for years.

We call on each and every elected office to do everything within their power so that DACA recipients and their families and communities can live free from fear, and continue to build their lives here.”

Background

DACA has prevailed through numerous challenges – including a challenge to its legality right after the Obama Administration introduced the program in June of 2012; those cases were thrown out.